No matter how slow...

‎"No matter how slow you go, you are still lapping everyone on the couch"

Some NZ quotes: “There are horses for courses”

Some quotes from Barry Magee... 

“Anyone can run 20 miles. It's the next six that count.” 

“Speed kills, distance doesn't”

“Train don't strain”

“Hills are the shortcut to success”

“There are horses for courses”

“The body can only do what the body is regularly accustomed to doing”

Ugly 20

So yesterday was the peak longest run before tapering into London.

Have you say that was an ugly 20 miles :o)
Lots of issues with my earphones which meant that the tracking kept turning itself off - which meant I ran further than tracked (after last week it over recording distance) - all a bit frustrating.

However! previously when I had same issues I cut run short in contempt. This time I was not going to go short! These last few runs have shown me that mentally I am hardening up and a dogged determination not to stop until the target is there.

Achilles wasn't enjoying the day - I guess constructing the trampoline for the children in the morning, then moving garden waist and bags of compost around the garden wasn't the best preparation. I did decide to run late in the day as I was still feeling the effects of another brutal gym session and also to ensure the children didn't have to wait all day before starting their bouncing.

I cannot judge how my pace will be on the day - seems to vary a lot but 3 weeks to go. So head down and bring it on! :o)

Grindleford Gallop and things achilles

So 5 weeks today till the marathon.
Have to say if it wasn't for my achilles I would be in quiet good nick - as it is I am a bit slower and hobble a lot!
So this week was semi easy. After Silverstone on Sunday - which I have to say felt harder than Wokingham - it was rest day Monday, swiftly followed by physio assessment on Tuesday. Diagnosis is tendonitis so now signed up for a series of treatments to hold it together. No discussion of not running - more about how to help it through. It deal feel improved after the treatment so a couple of easy 4 milers to check it out prior to the weekend.
So to Grindleford Gallop - a small village in the Derbyshire peaks, where the run is organised to support the local primary school. Introduced to it by a couple guys from work who entered it last year as well. The weather was very kind with low winds and sunshine over some great views of the countryside and Chatsworth House. I can clearly see why it is called the Peak District! Course starts in a valley then climbs up and down, and up and down and then up and down again - with the ups getting progressively longer and steeper, the last at mile 16 being the longest by some way. I always saw this as a training run so the plan was always to "fast" walk the ups and then run the flats and downs - which seemed to work. The other guys were races for a time so they took off after the first 5 and suited me fine as I occasionally stretch.
Have to say it was a really well organised event and  the people were all really friendly. Ran parts with a local and then a tri-athlete from Sheffield. A beautiful part of the country I have never seen before - so really glad I did it - and great time on my feet. There four hour + drive back wasn't so great but hey..... all good overall.
So now this week in for two physio sessions either side of a trip to Paris and then an 18 miler for Sunday. Training plan has this 18 then the following week a 21 and then two weeks of tapering into London (with 15 and a 12 respectively).

Running or flying...?

If you run long enough, you reach a certain point, a certain distance, a certain time.. when you forget about every aching joint, throbbing muscle, and chafing blister. You forget about catching your breath, or how tired you are. You then begin to move without thinking, like your legs have a mind of their own. Then you aren't running anymore, you're flying.

Silverstone Half

Bit of a gap in updates but back with race day information.

Last couple of weeks have been dogged with on going achilles issues, keep thinking it is healing and then next day limping again. Still it hurts less when I run than if I walk - looking for the positive - more incentive to keep running !

So today was the Silverstone Half, so after the successes of Wokingham a few weeks ago I turned up..... pretty battered and not in great shape. Another brutal gym session (note to self, two days after is the worse so don't make that a race day!!! Doh!) so drove up this morning and my legs were feeling sore and empty, and they were in the best shape of all of me! Oops...

So this is the second time for this race for me so a good test.... 10,000 runners. I arrived and it was cloudy, overcast and FREEEEEEZING! with a good wind to drop another couple of degrees off. The race start was delayed by 10 minutes due to traffic congestion holding people up - which meant getting even colder at the start line. BUT just as we started to bunch up to cross the start line .... the sun came out. :o)

But I have to say it was madness at the start. The number of people crossing the start shout come on let's go for it and then charging off at break neck speed. Did my best to try and stay at my steady slow speed.... didn't quiet make it so went faster than planned for first 6 miles (by about a minute a mile!). Achilles was tight and sore from the very start so mind games were order of play again.

I seem to have better concentration this year and even when I was struggling I just held it together, relaxed and took a smooth line (not the darting to get ahead of people I did last year).

So what can I say - consistent speed. Within 44 seconds of the target I set myself. 7 seconds faster than last year. Massively more consistent run. And off to book some physic tomorrow to try and fix my leg! :o)

Next week is the Grindleford Gallop - 21 miles of fells near Sheffield. The tests are coming fast now! and less than six weeks  to London...